Bruce signed full-backs Neil Taylor and James Bree to bring added competition to the backline while Birkir Bjarnason, Henri Lansbury and Conor Hourihane arrived as midfield reinforcements after starring for their respective former clubs.

Scott Hogan was Brentford’s top goalscorer and Bruce decided he would be a better option than Jordan Rhodes after an initial bid was turned down for the ex-Middlesbrough man.

The £12million striker is facing an anxious wait to determine the extent of an ankle injury sustained at Newcastle on Monday night and Villa’s coaching staff are praying for good news.